Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

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Scene from The Execution of Chen Shimeifront, painting only

© the artist's estate

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Scene from The Execution of Chen Shimei

  • Description

    The Execution of Chen Shimei is one of the most famous fictionalised law cases, adjudicated by a highly-respected official of the Northern Song dynasty, Bao Zheng (AD 999-1062), who later became a symbol of justice. Adapted into novels and dramas, the story has enjoyed sustained popularity.

    The white-faced scholar in this painting, Chen Shimei (right), betrayed his wife Qin Xianglian by marrying the emperor’s daughter in order to better his career after passing his imperial examination. As son-in-law of the emperor, he then wanted to murder Xianglian. The black-faced official seen sitting at a desk, Judge Bao (left), however, did not surrender to the pressure from the queen and princess. With the help of his faithful, red-faced assistant Zhan Zhao (centre), an expert in martial arts, Judge Bao executed Chen Shimei and saved Xianglian’s life.

    Guan Liang was born in Guangzhou but spent his career in Shanghai. In his early years, he studied oil painting in Japan, and also came to admire the work of the Impressionists. He is best known for his ink painting of theatrical scenes.

  • Details

    show all
    Associated place
    Asia › China (place of creation)
    Date
    1935 - 1968
    Artist/maker
    Guan Liang (1900 - 1986) (artist)
    Associated people
    Bao Zheng (AD 999 - 1062) (subject)
    Material and technique
    ink and colour on paper
    Dimensions
    mount 148 x 51.5 cm (height x width)
    painting 34.5 x 38.5 cm (height x width)
    along roller 59 cm (length)
    Material index
    processed material › paper
    Technique index
    covered › coated › painted,
    marked › painted,
    decorated › painted,
    painted,
    drawn (image) › line drawing › brush drawing
    Object type index
    communications equipment › art/writing equipment › scroll › hanging scroll,
    visual representation › painting,
    visual representation › scroll › hanging scroll
    No. of items
    1
    Credit line
    Purchased, 1968.
    Accession no.
    EA1968.74

  • Further reading

    Vainker, Shelagh, Chinese Paintings in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2000), no. 32 on p. 56, illus. p. 56 fig. 32

Past Exhibition

see (1)

Location

    • currently in research collection

Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.

 

Publications online

  • Chinese Paintings in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford by Shelagh Vainker

    Chinese Paintings in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

    Guan Ling was born in Panyu, Guangdong province, and studied in Japan between 1917 and 1922. On his return he taught at several art colleges across southern China, and introduced Western methods with which he had become acquainted while abroad. After 1949 he served on the committees of several artists' associations. He frequently painted in oils; in ink he is particularly well-known for his paintings of opera figures.

© 2013 University of Oxford - Ashmolean Museum